Letters 27 March 2009
Tourism-related businesses
To anyone involved in any way with tourism in a TDC-controlled area: Are you concerned about the proposed targeted tourist rate? Do you know which tier your business has been put in? Check which tier it is by contacting Paul Davis of Nelson Tasman Tourism or Murray Staite of TDC.
Do you know that if you do not challenge this via the annual plan process it will come into effect as from 1 July 2009? When and where is the consultation going to take place with those who will pay this rate and when were we going to be told?
Dianne Holmwood
Reply from Paul Davis, CEO Nelson Tasman Tourism: The targeted tourism rate proposes to change the way which Nelson Tasman tourism is part-funded by TDC and will more fairly spread the costs of marketing the region, in particular picking up those who currently do not contribute yet reap the benefits of visitor spending. It also reduces the general rate slightly and allows Nelson Tasman Tourism to provide a free website listing service for businesses. There are two tiers of annual rate proposed, $79 and $322. This equates to a weekly rate of $1.51 or $6.19.
Details of the proposal are outlined in TDC’s Draft Ten-Year Plan which is open for public submissions until 27 April. Nelson Tasman Tourism and TDC will hold an informal question-and-answer session about the rate in Takaka on 8 April with Golden Bay Promotions’ members. TDC is holding consultation sessions on the Ten-Year Plan in both Takaka and Collingwood also on 8 April. An information sheet with details on the rate including which business types are in each tier can be downloaded from our website, at www.NelsonNZ.com
TDC provided the following: The proposed two-tiered targeted rate is for all rateable properties in the district that fall within at least one of the following categories: Hold a Health Licence as required by the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974, except sports clubs and/or charitable organisations; Hold either an on- or off-licence as required by the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, except sports clubs and/or charitable organisations; Are used for accommodation purposes; Are used for the sale of petroleum products; Hold a resource consent for a tourism related activity; Are used for passenger transport services; All retail or other businesses that are primarily or predominately targeted at the visitor market.
Labyrinth Rocks
In response to Ross McDonald’s letter (GBW 20/3): Ross, I understand your frustration but it is important that we do this job once and do it right; a philosophy you no doubt subscribe to also. Council engineers have had a good look at the requirements for the new car park at Labyrinth Rocks and I understand you were pleased to join them on one of their visits, thus enabling you to appreciate where they were coming from. The engineers have decided that the job is substantially bigger than anticipated which means a greater cost also. The budget for this job will be available in the new financial year, 1 July 2009.
In the ensuing months, I will be ensuring that the budget processes through the proper channels and that the plans for the new car park will be ready also for July next. I can assure you that I am a very keen supporter of this project and will do all I can at council and local level to see the work at Labyrinth Rocks proceed as soon as possible. I invite you to call me should you require further help in this regard.
Cr Stuart Borlase
Footpaths
As a wheelchair user I find that more and more of the footpaths in the town area are being used for advertising, stock display and tables and chairs. This means that there is less space for pedestrians, parents with strollers, people with mobility scooters and wheelchair users. I am not against businesses using the space, but surely there are local council bylaws regarding this and some control must be used. If there are none then some need to introduced and policed. The problem is more pronounced during the summer when we have a big influx of visitors. Hoping TDC will look into this and do something about it as the footpaths are just that; footpaths for pedestrians, not display spaces.
John Southwood
Speed limit in the Bay
Referring to Doris Sadlowski’s letter (GBW 20/3): While it is understandable and appropriate to empathise with Sam’s family regarding his tragic death, the linking of his death to the 100kmph speed limit is inappropriate, inaccurate and unfair to the driver involved. While the matter is in the hands of the coroner whose job it is to make a finding as to the cause of death, I wish to pass on this one fact: The Tasman Police senior crash investigator who attended the scene calculated the driver’s approach speed to be between 74 and 80kmph, and their impact speed to be not more than 61kmph.
If anything, this highlights the dangers of driving at speeds at or closer to 60kmph in built-up areas where there is heavy pedestrian movement, such as in the vicinity of schools, etc.
Arthur Clarence, Sgt OIC, Takaka Police
ANZAC exhibition
Golden Bay Museum and Golden Bay RSA are planning an ANZAC exhibition to commemorate the contribution made by our men and women during engagements of war.
Scheduled to open on 20 April 2009 and run until 20 May 2009, the exhibition will display objects and supporting information to tell the stories of this time in our history. The museum will also be open on ANZAC Day morning to enable the public to walk down to the exhibition after the ceremonies.
We are hoping people with items of interest for display will contact the museum staff between 10 and 4pm Monday to Friday. All care will be taken and all items documented and returned to lenders after 20 May.
Karen Johnson and Jane McDonald
Golden Bay Museum
RDA fundraising
The New Zealand RDA is to have Kiwifirst, a telephone fundraiser, carry out its fundraising. As an affiliated group we are bound by this decision. What it means is that if you wish to donate using the Kiwifirst model then for every $20.00 you donate this way, the Golden Bay RDA will get $2.50.
If you want all your donation to stay in Golden Bay to benefit local children, then your option is to send your cheque to GBRDA, 3/189 Commercial Street, Takaka 7110.
We are not against NZRDA fundraising but think that because we have a small population base in Golden Bay that all the funds raised here should stay here. In this new economic climate, funding is getting more and more difficult to obtain, and, unlike other areas, we do not have many options open to us.
If you need more info on our group and our activities please call Cliff at 525 6066 or Judy at 525 8175.
John Southwood, treasurer, GBRDA
Invitation for Easter
The Churches of Takaka and Collingwood would like to extend an invitation to join us in a “Journey Through Easter”. There are several services and events planned over the Easter period (9-12 April). There will be more information in The GB Weekly over the next couple of weeks. For a start we would invite any artists to look at this week’s ad giving information about a Paint-Fest on the Village Green during the Saturday. Further information on the whole Journey will be coming over the next two weeks. Feel free to contact me on 525 9740 if you have any questions.
Bob Reid, Presbyterian minister
Bach on Palm Sunday
People in Golden Bay will have the opportunity to hear Bach’s St Matthew Passion on 5 April at 2pm in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Takaka. When I approached Father Edmund he graciously and enthusiastically agreed, telling me it fits in with a century-long tradition of reading and singing St Matthew Passion narrative on Palm Sunday. Bach’s magnificent work was, of course, written for the Church and, as Bach always said, “For the greater glory of God”.
It is virtually universally agreed that this work is one of the world’s greatest artistic and religious achievements. It was written and first performed in Leipzig in 1727 or 1729. When we understand that the work was written for two choirs, several vocal soloists and an orchestra which included flutes, oboes, oboe d’amore, cor anglais, bassoon and string section, we realise that we are never likely to hear a live performance in Golden Bay!
This is a recorded performance with translations of the full text provided. Hiring a very good sound system and advertising costs money. Please consider making a voluntary donation of at least $5. What’s left over will be a donation for the church, to whom thanks again.
Charles Naylor
Long and enthusiastic applause
I would like to say how much my wife and I enjoyed the performance of The Armed Man at Takaka Primary School last Saturday. The quality of the performance was obviously appreciated by the audience during the work, and afterwards demonstrated by the long and enthusiastic applause. Congratulations to all involved, and we look forward to the next opportunity to hear the combined choirs and musicians from Golden Bay, Motueka and Nelson perform.
Bill and Liz Burbage
OSCAR / Boredom Buster School Holiday Programme
The Boredom Buster magazine for the autumn school holidays will be at schools, TDC, the library and at the GB Community Centre about 31 March. Golden Bay features on the front cover this time. Rock climbing is back, gym games in the new GBHS gym and there is a separate girls-only Bike Gymkhana where you learn how to ride 50cc mini moto-cross bikes...with female tutors. Please note that bookings are from 9am to 4pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A correction to the programme needs to be noted: Clay & Plaster Sculptures are on Thursday 23 while gym games are on Friday 24.
Dave Myall
OSCAR / Boredom Buster Organiser
